Radiator shutter unit



Sept. 6, 1932.

E. G. PETERSEN RADIATOR SHUTTER UNIT Filed MarCh 19. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l wf., .w n. UZ

J @fafa/@MM Sept. 6, 1932. E, C.;- PETERSEN 1,876,017-

RADIATOR SHUTTER UNIT Filed March 19. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y Q @Z /5/ /52 /Zo 50 j Sept. 6, 1932. E. G. PETERSEN RADIATOR SHUTTER UNIT Filed March 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 a w 2%@ y @www D ma m.: M64 Wl/M 1%?? .m/ /UJ EW Sept- 6 1932 E. G. PETERsr-:N 1,876,017

RADIATOR SHUTTER UNIT Filed March 19, 1930 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 j UNITED STATES PATE-NT "orifice EDG-AR G. PETERSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'I O PINES WINTERFRONT,COM.

i PAN'Y, OIT CEICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELA'WARE RADIATOR snnrfrnn UNIT `lamination inea March 19, 193e. serial No.' 436,940.

`The present invention relates toradiator shutter units, and is particularly concerned with radiator shutter units for controlling the flow of cooling air through the radiator j of internal combustionl engines.

It is frequently not necessary or desirable to utilize the full radiating area for air conduits ofthe radiators of Vmodern automotive vehicles during the winter, when radiator shutters are usually employed, and consequently it is often desirable to provide the yradiator core with a shutter unit having a fenestration of smaller size than the complete core area. rFlieshape of .the-radiator shell may also be irregular for ornamental reasons, and one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved radiator shutter unit which isadaptable to use with radiator cores yand shells ofv any size 1 2o and shape.

Anotherobject of the invention is the provisionof an improved radiator shutter of the built-in type which'is more sturdy than Vthe devices'of the prior art, capable of longer v service Without possibility of rattling, and

capable of being economically manufactured and assembled.

Another object is the provision of an improved air-tight and non-rattling connection between the shutter unit and the radiator shell, including one or more false shutter members which are provided with resilient flanges for engaging the edge of a radiator shell and preventing rattling between these parts.

Another object is the provision of animproved shutter unit having improv-ed forms of false shutter aprons or the like Which 'are assembled with the radiator shutter in such manner that the possibility of rattling is eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from thefollowing description, and from the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views. y

Referring to the drawings, of which there are four sheets,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a completelshutter assembly constructed according to the present invention.; i

ig. 2 is a top plan view of theradiator shutter unit ofFig. 1.1

Fig. 3 is asectional horizontalview'taken ontheplane of theline 3-3 of Fig.` 1.-

t Fig.V L.tis a sectional viewtakenfon thepla'ne of the line 4 4 of 1. V:

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the vplan-e of lineV 5;-5 of Fig. 2, 'showing one of the upper corners of the frame. f'

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken `on the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig.y 8, showing the Vconstruction of one of the lower cornersA Fig. 7 is a vertical sectonal view taken v'on the plane of the line'7-7 of Fig.v 1.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational View of the shutterunit alone. 'i f Fig. 9 is a vdetailed view in partial section of the shutter actuating mechanism and the top of the shutter unit taken on a vertical Fig. lO'is afront elevationaluview of-a modification. "5 Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken on'the lplane of the line 11-11 offFigL10. 1

Referring to Figs. 1, 3 and 7, the complet assembly of the built-.in shutter constructed according to the present invention preferably includes a radiator shell 10, 'a lradiator shutter unit 11, anda radiator core 12. rIhe radiator shell may be l of'any conventional shape, and the present radiator shutter unit is peculiarlyadapted to be used with radiator shells having a fenestration 13 of; any

shape, since the present shutter unit 11 is provided with a plurality of false shutter aprons, plates or flanges of different .types for closing the space between the shutterunit and the edge' of the radiator shell The radiator shell 10 is preferably supported directly upon the chassis of a vehicleand the front wall 14 of the shell 10 is preferably provided with Van inwardly projecting flange 15 and a con- 9 taCting flange 16, which extends substantially parallel to the face of the-shutter uni-t 11. The' contacting flange V16-'of the shell 10 may be madeV of resilient material to Ipro'ducea closer fit between the shutter unit andv the contacting edge 16 of shell 10, and the flange 16 forms the border of a fenestration 13.

The design of fenestration illustrated in the present embodiment is to be regarded as merely exemplary of one of the many forms which the .fenestration in the radiator .shell may take, and in any particular case the intervening space between the shell 10 andthe j shutter unit 11 may be closed by false shutter aprons. I A, The lower lportion of the fenestration 13 in shell 10 vmay be closed by a shutter apron 17 consisting of a stamped sheet of metal which is preferably formed with a substantially fl-atborder 18 for engaging the rear side of 'lange 16, and with a plurality of se-parate shutter formations 19. of the same widthand shape as the shutters k20 which are carriedV by the shutter unit 11. The Yfalse shutter plate 17 preferably comprises an integral part of the lower frame `member 31., and is preferably provided with a centrally `located opening 24 foraccess tothe `crank shaft engine. The opening 24 may be closed by any conventional type of cap25; 1 y

Therad'atorcore 12 comprises one of the conventional forms of honeycomb structures for permitting the `circulation y of water through a multiplicity of` conduits having fins exposedfto the` air, andthe honey-comb part `vof the core 12k is supported by afsheet metal core band 26 forming the .outer wall of the radiator `core 12. At the rear side of the core 12, the core Aband 26 is .provided with a l laterally projecting extension 27 which may be secured' to the radiator shell 10 by brackets and bolts ,28 or other convenient fastening means.

f The core band 26 isalso preferablyprovided with'a pair of forwardly projecting extensions 29 at each -side to provide a support for the shutter unit- 11. It vwill thus be observed -that Ythe radiator shutter 11may be directly Asupported by the extensions on the -core vband 26 which are in turn fixed to the lshell 10, carried by the chassis in such a manner that there is no possibility that the honeycomb portion of theV core 12 may be dam-V aged. v

The forward vextensions 29 on the core "band 26 also formingr a 'casing for enclosing 'the`sp-ace between theshutter unit 11 and the radiator core 12 in such ymanner as to provide a substantially continuous conduit through the shell 1-0. lThe lradiator sli-utter Vunit 11 lpreferably comprises a supporting frame consisting of Itwo 'end frame members 30,31sn'id'a'pxatir ofs'ide frame members 32, 33.

The lower end frame member 31 may consist of an elongated sheet metal member whichispreferably providedwith a pair of upwardly projecting 'attaching flanges 34, v35. Tihe-lowerframe member 31 ,preferably has ia' flat 4body porti-onj36 with -a forwardly projecting rib for housing 38 for enclosing and preferably provided with a downwardly exy tending securing flange 37 which is offset at 42 from 'the main body of the false shutter apron 17, and provided wit-h a plurality of vertically extending vslots 100 for receiving screw bolts 101 threaded into a supporting bracket 102. Thesupporting brackets 102 preferably have an upwardly extending flange and a horizontally extending flange `103, which may be spotwelded, brazed or otherwise secured rto the inside of the shell 1'0 at the 'bottom' in such a lpositionrthat when the flange 37 is secured by bolt 101 to bracket 102, the depending shutter apron17 has its flat surface 18 resiliently engagingkthe contacting edge-16 at 'the lower part of the shell 10. The brackets 102A are thus adapted to provide-additional support for the core 12 at the front of the shell, ,through the interme diary of the shutter unit, and to also secure the lower part of the shutter unit to the shell Vin such manner as to positively prevent any possibility of rattling. The slots 100 Vconj shutter unit 11 preferably consist of velongatved sheet metal members which are likewise formed with attaching flanges 43, 44 at each end, and with laterally projecting reinforcing flanges45 at the rear edge.

At the front edge of each of the lateral framemembers 32,V 33, these members are each preferably provided with an inwardly projecting vflange 46 which vis bent outward and backward upon itself as at 47, forming a curvedsurface 48 of substantially the Asame shape as one of `the curled portions 49 of the The side frame members 32 and 33 of the shutter 20. The outwardly extending portion 50 of each of the side frame members "32,

33 constitutes a resilient false shutterllange which may be made of sullicient width to'fill the space between'the shutterunit 11 and the contacting edge 16 ofthe -shell 10. Each of the flanges 50 is also preferably formedwith 'a plurality of stamped shutter formations 19 so thatthe shutter unit hasY the -appearance of shutters extending over the complete area of the fenestration 13, but only the part withof movable shutters.

yVV'here the shape vof the fenestration 13 is A such that it tapers in width toward the top,

-in the frame of the shutter unit 11 consistsA 'mations may be substantially parallel to each other. L j

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the'fla'nge 50 is provided with one false shutter formation 19 and the flat portion 104, but in the embodi ment of Fig. 10the shutter unit is provided with side flanges 50 having'aplurality of false shutter formations 19, and it will be evident that any amount of the area outside the shutter frame and inside the shell 10 may be covered by the false shutter anges 50. The flanges 32 and 50 are preferably resilient, so that the fiat part 104 is maintained in resilient engagement with the inwardly'projecting contacting edge 16 of shell 10, thereby provid-ing a substantially air-tight and .rattle-proof connection between the shutter unit 11 and the front part of shell 10 at each side. The laterally projecting extension 27 on core band 26 provides the principle support for the radiator core 12 at its rear side, and also encloses the rear side of the space 51 in the shell V10, forming a dead air space Vabout the radiator core 12, which tends to prevent the radiation of. the heat from the water in the core during cold weather.

The present construction Y having false shutter flanges at the side is peculiarly adapted to'be used with radiator cores which are considerably narrower than the radiator ',shell, in Cases where it is desirable to have a relatively larger radiatorV shell with a lsmaller and narrower radiator core.

In order to secure the shutter unit V11 to the forward extensions 29 on core band 26, the extensions 29 are preferably provided Vwith apertures 52 for receiving screw bolts plates 55 are preferably secured to the side frame members by spot welding.

It will thus be` observed that the shutter unit may be secured tothe forward eXtensions 29 of core band 26 by bolts 53 passing through extensions 29 into the threaded members 55.

The lower corners of the frame of shutter unit 11 are preferably permanently secured together by spot welding or similar methods, and the attaching flange 44 may be spot welded to the body of the frame member 31 while the attaching flange 34 may be spot welded to the body of side frame member 33, by a vplurality of spot welds. This form of joint between the lower and side frame members, provides a frame `which is particularly lstrong and rigid as distinguished from the frames of a prior art.v In order to provide a shutter having resilient false shutter false shutter aprony 17 is `preferably of Sulli- `cient length to eXtend from side" to sideof shell 10, and consequently the ends'of the' false shutter apron` 17 project laterally be-p yond the radiator core band 26. i.

Either. the "false shutter flanges vorlth `false shutter apron 17 may be provided with an overlapping attaching flange ffor`se- The i upperr frame member 30` preferably comprises an elongated sheet metal member be; secured to the adjacent fpart by spot weldhaving downwardly extending attaching?? flanges 58 which may besecured tothe side frame members 32, 33 by a plurality of screw bolts 106.` The upper frame `member -isaalso preferably provided with a downwardly eX- tending reinforcingflange 60 at its rear edge,

and the body of the upper frame member 30 is preferably of .sufficient `width 'to extend over the side frame members 32,l 33, flanges 46, and false shutter'flanges 50, so that the false shutter flanges 50 may abut. the lower rality of :drilled apertures forming bearings fr? on the trunnion 63 off the shutters 20., The frame member 30 may be formed'iwith an offset `108 and the bearing 107 secured to the offset portion 109 of frame member 30 by a plurality of rivets 110. i member 30 is also preferably -provided with `a false shutter plate. 111, formed with a plurality of false shutters 19 of the `same shape and provided with a relatively fiat outersurface 112 conforming to the lshape -of the; shell fenestration 13 at thetop, so. that" the contacting edge 16 of the shell lmay be resiliently engaged by the flat part 112 of plate111. The plate 11-1 is preferably formed witha forwardly projecting housing for bearing lstrip 107 consisting of a forwardly projecting flange 113, a downwardly projecting flange 114, and a horizontal flange 115. .The hori- Zontal flange 115 may be secured to the lower side of bearing strip 107 by the same rivets 'i' 110 in such manner that the offset portion 109,

andbearing strip 107 are received within the groove formed by flanges 113, .114, 115. The false shutter plate V111 thus encloses `and pro-Y, tectsl the'bearing strip 107, and providesav finishedV forward andlowerv surface for the upper frame member '30 andthe false shutter plate 111 is preferably made Vof sufficient width to cover the fenestration 13 in the shell,

and consequently the plate 111- projects lat* erally beyond the frame members 32, 33. 'The upper frame member 30 may also be provided with lateral extensions 116 of the offset 'portion109, and with attaching flanges 117 for aprons at both the sides and thebottom', the securement tothe false shutter flanges I'50`by The r upper frame 'curing these false-shuttenmembers together rat their outer edges, and the `ilange'105 may 1 Aspot welding or other fastening means. It will be understood that the flange 115 of :shutter :plate 111 and flange k109 of upper frame Tmemberv30 may also be provided with apertures for passing the trunnions 63.

The lower frame member v31 is also provided with'similar bearing strip 39 for receivning the lower trunnion 63 and the lower bearving l69.1may .be-secured in the bearing housing 38 -byla plurality of rivets 118. It will .be understoodthat the lower frame member 31 also has apertures registering with the bearings 'in .the strip 39 for passing trunnion 63.

, .increased rigidity Vby this :mode vof vsecurement. A

.The shutters 20 lpreferablyconsist of elongatedisheet metal members each of which -is formed with a longitudinally extending rrib :123, :giving the front of the shutter the sem- ;blance :of a pair of Vshutters formed by the vcurved ,portions 124. The rib 123 reinforces .eachshutter longitudinally, increases its resilience in a lateral direction, and improves :the appearance of the shutters which may be made wider than theordinary shutters withi I out sacrificing ythe strength. and durability of the unit. .A widening of the shutters 'de- :creases fthe number of trunnions, Yand increases ythe efficiency of the unit by increasing the :proportionatezamoun-t of :open spface when the shutters are open.

vEach yof the shutters 20 preferably has 1a curled or Ytubular portion 49 for receiving .the trunnion 4r63, and the trnnnions 63 mav .consist of `relatively short pins driven into -each Vend :of the :tubular portion 49. In a preferred embodiment, the trunnions are each formed with an integral outwardly pro- `jecting rib or flange-54,:and driven into each end of the tubular formations 49 to be -securedtherein by a lspot `weld .at .one of rthe concealed part-s of. the shutter. The :rib 64 forms awasher for-spacingthe-shutter from 5- its bearing, and also `acts as a thrust bear- 5 ing for aengagement with the frame or bearing strip. The frib 64 :also definitely limits -the length `of lthe :trunnion l63 which may be .driven iin until the rib engages the .endY of the shutter. v

' 'The :trunnions r63 are preferably formed of steel so as-to produce :a yminimum amount kof-wear from theengagement with the abearstrips. i

. Eachloffthe shutters'is preferably provided with a curved portion '.66 which is comple- Y Aarm of the bell crank 129-may loe,connected ters.

The lcrack between vthe right-hand shutter and the shutter frame member-3.2'is preferably closed by the resilient flange 67,-of .a sheet metal member which is secured to thek frame member 32 by means of another flange 68 spot welded tothe inside ofiiange46. The flange 67 preferably hassucient clear- Vancewith respectto the curved portion .V49

of the adjacent shutter to to rotate freely. 1 v y. l Eachof the shuttersj20,ispreferably provided at one end with a backwardly extending shutter arm 82, and the shutter varms82 are-,pivotal'ly connected toga shutter actuating 8,5 bar 83. Theshutter actuating bar 83 has-ar` fixed stud 92whichproj'ects upward through an arcuate slot 93 and the upper frame member` 30. .The upper frameA -member 30Y is preferablyprovided with a bracket 125, and 9.0 the false shutterplate 111 may 4also-be providedfrwith a bracke't126. The brackets 125, 126`I-1nay support a stub shaftl': hav-inga tubular-spacer 128 and a bell crank 129. One

permit the shutter 9:0

to any formofactuating devicelmanual `or thermostatic, and the opposite arm 130 may be pivotally` connected to .a link 131 whichv has its opposite end pivotally mou-nted on the stud 92. A sheet metal bracket132 mayloO be spot weldedto the upper frame member i 30, and provided with a hook 133-for securing one end of the-coil spring v134, the opposite rend of which is secured lto a studv135 carried by Vlink 131. The spring 134 urges .10 the link 131 to the left inFig. 2, tending to closethe shutters. The speciiiomede of mounting the actuating mechanism atthe top ofthe shutter unitwalso increases `the rigidity of the frame, and provides additional supportfor thefalse shutter plate.

The modification .-shown in Figs.'-10 and 11 differs from thatof the. other `:figures :only yin the provision of ar multiplicity of false shutters formed inthe side fianges'v50, and .1.15 this construction has already been'described with referenceto the other figures. f f

. While I have illustrated a preferred vemybodiment of myv inventiomlmany modifica-- tions maybe made without depa-rtii-igffrom1:1.20

the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to vbe limited to theprecise details of construction set forth, but desire `-to avail myself of` all changesfwithin thescopeofthe .appended claims. y1 l n Having thus describedmy invention,what I claim is new and desire v.to secure by Letter Patent ofthe -United-State's, is:

1. In a radiatorshutter unitithe combination of apair Aof side iframe members, with @1130 a pair of end frame members, forming a fenestration, a bearing strip carried by the inner side of one of said end frame members, and a false shutter plate having a forwardly projecting bead for housing said bearing strip, and having a backwardly extending attaching flange, said bearing strip being secured between said flange and an end frame member.

lo 2. In a radiator shutter unit the combination of a pair of side frame members, with a pair of end frame members, forming a fenestration, a bearing strip carried by the inner side of one of said end frame members,

1 5 a false shutter plate having a forwardly projecting bead for housing said bearing strip, and having a backwardly extending attaching flange, said bearing stripy being secured between said flange and an end frame member, and a plurality of shutters pivotally mounted on said end frame members.

8. In a radiator shutter unit the combination of a pair of side frame members, with a pair of end frame members, forming a fenestration, a. bearing strip carried by the inner side of one of said end frame members, a false shutter plate having a forwardly project-ing bead for housing said bearing strip, and having a backwardly extending attaching flange, said bearing strip being secured between said flange and an end frame member, a plurality of shutters pivotally mounted on said end frame members, a bracket carried by said false shutter plate, a second bracket carried by the adjacent -end frame member, a bell crank pivotally mounted on said brackets and having an offset arm and operative mechanical connections between said arm and said shutters.

40 4L. A radiator shutter assembly, comprising a radiator shell, a radiator core carried by said shell, a shutter unit carried by said core, said shutter unit having a plurality of outwardly extending ,resilientv false shutter plates engaging the inner edge of said shell, a plurality of shutters carried by said shutter unit, and means for adjustably securing said shutter plates to the lower part of said shell. and the upper part of said radiator.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of February, A. D.

EDGAR G. PETERSEN. 

